INDIANAPOLIS -- Democratic U.S. Rep. Julia Carson on Tuesday night thanked voters for electing her to a sixth term and celebrated as she learned that Democrats likely regained control of the U.S. House.

Carson turned back a challenge from Republican Eric Dickerson to retain Indiana's 7th Congressional District seat. The district covers much of Marion County.

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Video: Carson Victory Speech

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With 83 percent of precincts reporting, Carson had 54 percent of the votes. Dickerson had 46 percent.

"I'm very humbled by the victory, and I appreciate so much the constituents sending me back," Carson told 6News' Ericka Flye.

As Carson was giving a victory speech to supporters Tuesday night, the chairman of Marion County's Democratic Party told Carson that CNN had reported that Democrats gained a majority in the U.S. House.

"Oooh, we won the United States House of Representatives!" she said to cheers. "So that means that Nancy Pelosi becomes speaker of the House. Oooh, it's like a dream -- that Nancy Pelosi (becomes) the first woman speaker of the United States congress."

Carson was referring to the House minority leader from California. Pelosi would be poised to become speaker with a Democrat majority.

"I read a long time ago that there is a time for all things -- a time to cry and a time to laugh," Carson said. "I'm not going to cry tonight. I'm just going to smile."

Dickerson, a former Indianapolis auto dealer, often raised questions during the campaign about the 68-year-old Carson's health and effectiveness in office.

Carson has won more than 20 consecutive elections at the local, state and national levels since 1972.

Carson's victory came as her party gained three congressional seats in Indiana.